Category: Horror

Tucker (Suburgatory’s Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine, probably best known for Breaker High) purchase their dream vacation home, a lakefront cabin in West Virginia. On the way to the cabin, they come across a group of college students at a gas station, headed out to camp by the lake. Dale approaches Allison (Katrina Bowden of Sex Drive) at the urging of Tucker, who thinks he needs to build self-confidence. Allison and her friends are startled by Tucker and Dale’s hillbilly appearance and what follows is a night of misunderstandings and revenge.

Super awkward camerawoman, Deb Clarington (Maria Thayer of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Hitch) wakes up on the Fourth of July in the bed of Ryan (Argo’sMichaelCassidy), the hottest guy in town. Not sure how she got there and not eager to leave, Deb doesn’t realize the turmoil brewing outside her door. Can Deb and Ryan escape the zombie apocalypse?

On the morning of June 10, 1912, five members of the Moore family and two Stillienger girls who had been visiting the family were found bludgeoned to death in the Moore home. Amateur ghost hunters, Caleb (Robert Adamson of The Princess Protection Program) and Denny (writer and actor, Jarrett Sleeper), plan to spend Caleb’s last night in town investigating the legendary murder house. The new girl, Jess (The Inbetweener’s Alex Frnka), decides to tag along. Will they make contact with the souls left behind and will any of them make it out alive?

The Little Shop of Horrors was produced in 1960 on $28,000 budget (according to my research the budget ranged between $24,000 and $30,000 — so your guess is as good as mine.) Directed by the legendary Roger Corman, this movie was produced within two days. Corman decided to use an earlier film setting that was due to be torn down in the next two days.

The movie is a horror-themed, black comedy B-movie that gained a cult following. The theme is said to be inspired by the novella Green Thoughts by John Collier and the science fiction short story The Reluctant Orchid by Arthur C. Clarke. In 1982, The Little Shop of Horrors was turned into an Off-Broadway, horror comedy rock musical and in 2003, it debuted as a Broadway production. If you don’t mind spoilers, continue reading.

Vince (Stephen Graham) is recently divorced and on a downward spiral. Vince’s closest friends, Neil (Danny Dyer), Mikey (Noel Clarke), Graham (Emil Marwa), Matt (Lee Ingleby), Patrick (Keith-Lee Castle) and Banksy (Neil Maskell), take him on an out-of-town boys weekend to a remote town where Neil promises the women are plentiful, hot and easy. On first blush, Moodley looks like a town where everyone suddenly walked away but what lurks behind closed doors will take the best the men have to stay alive.

Produced in the 1960s on a $ 64,000 budget, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, belongs to the typical “it’s so bad — it’s good” category and makes this black-and-white science fiction, horror movie a cult classic.

The story line is predictable and anyone that has read the book Frankenstein or seen the movie knows this isn’t going to end well — at least not for some of the participants. If you are fine with spoilers then continue reading.

Vincent Price: A Daughter’s Biography by Victoria Price

The late Vincent Price was the master of horror and comedy. His movies had an eerie and unsettling quality that made him a horror film icon. Read a review of his biography written by his daughter, Victoria Price.

The Black Witch by Micheal Rivers

In the tradition of his enticing book Verliege, Rivers, once again, takes the reader on a supernatural adventure. This time, he chose the sea as a location for tragedy and suspense on board of The Black Witch—read what happens in this review.

Oh Shit, I’m Dead! by G.R. Williams

This debut novel by Williams is a short story into the afterlife. The character, Ray, takes readers along on a emotionally-charged journey to the final destination. Read the The Oh Shit, I’m Dead! review.

Spooks Reads Recommendations

For this year’s Halloween, we put together some spooky reads that have been reviewed throughout the year on this website. Check out our Spooky Reads for Halloween 2015 list.

Further Reading

The Mariner’s Shadow by Clive S. Johnson

Once again, Rabid Reader’s Reviews is able to present one of Clive S. Johnson’s popular poems The Mariner’s Shadow. Don’t miss out on his other two poems From a Moorland Walk and Remiss that were published on this blog in 2014. Clive S. Johnson is a science fiction author and poet. Check out a review of the book Cold Angel Days, the fourth book in The Dica Series.

HALLOWEENPALOOZA III: 31 Days of Halloween

Last year’s movie reviews proved to be a success. This year again, we reviewed some movie classics for you:

House of Wax (2005 | 1958)

A remake of the original House of Wax starring the legendary actor Vincent Price that does not live up to its 1953’s predecessor. The message conveyed in the modern version is that if you’re going to take a detour, take a lot of friends to keep the killers busy while you look for a way out. Read more about House of Wax.

Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)

This movie was one of the first that introduced the audience to a formulaic plot line and gory details. It is a parody of southern hospitality, which at times, has a very comical effect. The film was mostly played in drive-in movies and became on instant success. Read more about Two Thousand Maniacs!

The Screaming Skull (1958)

The Screaming Skull is a cult classic and a fun look at the classic, psychological horror genre. You won’t die of fright watching it, but it contains enough highly dramatic and scary moments to keep you watching. The movie was based on the classic horror story by the author F. Marion Crawford and originally published in 1911. Read more about The Screaming Skull.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

This horror, comedy movie is a British-French-American production dealing with an apocalyptic zombie uprising and has become a cult classic. Because of its satirical approach, it is now considered one of the top horror movies of the decade and the best zombie movie ever made. According to Screenrant, Shaun of the Dead is one of Tarantino’s top 20 movies.

Ghost Ship (2002)

Originally, the screenplay was written as a relatively bloodless psychological horror movie. The script underwent several revisions and turned Ghost Ship into a gory film with an emphasis on the supernatural element.

The Uninvited (1944)

This atmospheric and moody film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematorgraphy in 1945. The movie is based on the novel “Uneasy Freehold” by Dorothy Macardle that was published in 1942. The Uninvited is listed as one of the 11 scariest horror movies of all time by Martin Scorsese.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)

What type of movie do you get when scientists experiment with tomatoes? A musical, black comedy horror B-movie that is so bad, it became part of the pop culture. Although Attack of the Killer Tomatoes will probably go into the annals of the worst vegetable movie ever made, fans are pushing for a remake.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

This movie is a science fiction, horror comedy that has reached a cult classic status. Aliens, who resemble evil circus clowns, invade a small town. Although the story line is considered quite simple, the movie, in general, is a reminiscent of past B-movies. Killer Klowns From Outer Space received praise for its special effects and visual design.